Here at Hospice one of the most anticipated pieces to any one of our fundraising events are the raffles and the silent auctions that provide participants a chance to win some valuable items. Soliciting and securing donated items, however, is no easy feat. It takes time, effort, and having a thick skin when hearing “no” more often than not. That word never stops our incredible volunteers’ efforts. Below we will hear from three of our dedicated event volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to help make these auctions and raffles happen.
Ev Griffith
Ev has been a dedicated Hospice volunteer for over 22 years. He started his volunteer efforts with us a long time ago with both our golf and bowling tournaments, serving as an event chair for each. His role has evolved over the years and he is now securing donations to be used for raffles and silent auctions at our Annual Bowling Tournament and Celebrating Life Through Chocolate events. Ev also volunteers his time in person at these events. When asked if he likes going out and getting donations he said, “Yes, but you have to be willing to hear no and to not take it personally.” Another thing Ev enjoys is to have the opportunity to talk to donors and hear their personal experiences with Hospice. He has even found himself educating donors on Hospice and what we do for our community. When asked why he continues to do what he does for Hospice, he reflects, “I think it’s a worthwhile thing to do for the organization. I love the organization and the people who comprise it and anything I can do to support that effort, I will.”
John O’Neill
If you’ve been to a Hospice Golf Open in recent years, chances are you’ve dropped a ticket or two in a raffle bag to win one of our excellent prizes. Those prizes have been sought out by the wonderful John O’Neill, who has been volunteering with Hospice for just over eight years. When asked why he began volunteering for Hospice, he stated, “They were instrumental during my wife’s passing.” John says he loves to volunteer as it’s a great way to give back to those who have helped his family. John first began pursuing financial donations and sponsorships for the golf tournament but soon discovered that with his many and varied community connections, securing in-kind donations for the raffle was a better fit for him. Not even the COVID pandemic could hamper John’s efforts. When one door closes, he knocks on new ones and has continued to be successful in his pursuits. When asked if he was comfortable with being included in our newsletter for everyone to read about him, his response was, “If I can tap them into donating something to Hospice, then sure.”
Jackie Barnes
For the past eight years, Jackie Barnes has been instrumental in helping to secure items for our silent auction at our Annual September Song event and most recently for our Annual Movie Night. Jackie first found herself volunteering for Hospice when her granddaughter, a former Hospice employee, suggested she use her free time from retirement toward helping out at Hospice. Jackie’s daughter still works for Hospice as our Director of Patient & Family Services, so she feels an extra close tie to what she’s doing and why.
When asked why she likes to solicit donations she said, “I like to meet people and hear the stories of their experiences with Hospice. I also love a good challenge, and each year I try to do better than the last.” She did say that the COVID pandemic did hinder her efforts when it came to securing restaurant gift cards, but just like Ev and John, she made new connections with brand new donors. When asked what her family thinks of her volunteer work for Hospice she said, “Often times when I’m driving around with my husband Donald, he will see me writing down a name of a new business to reach out to. I think he likes to see me challenging myself and he even goes with me now on pick-ups.”
We truly couldn’t do what we do here at Hospice without these volunteers and the many others that come through our doors. We are grateful to each and every one of them!
To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.